The 20-year-old Jamaican was clearly ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt's Marius Wolf (13 per cent) and Borussia Dortmund's Michy Batshuayi (7.4 per cent) in the VDV vote. In the previous vote, it was Ousmane Dembélé – now at Barcelona – who won out against Bayer 04 pro Kai Havertz.
Bailey, who scored nine goals and provided six assists for Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga last term, was also named in the 'VDV Team of the Season'by his fellow professionals – along with the two defenders Philipp Max (FC Augsburg) and Naldo (Schalke 04) and midfielder Naby Keïta (RB Leipzig) he was one of only four non Bayern Munich players in the line-up. Bailey received 41.9 per cent of the votes.
Top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) was awarded the 'Silver Boot' for the best player of the season and the coaches' 'Silver Bench' award went to Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich).
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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